All The Best Backpacking Cook Kits!

A look at my favorite backpacking cook systems and their specific uses!
-- Cook Pots --
-- Stoves --
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[Hftimes]

I am totally addicted to cook pots and cook systems even though I always resort to using my toaks pot and BRS stove. The idea of cooking an actual meal in the backcountry is appealing until you start packing your bag and the weight starts to add up. That’s when I always change my mind and take freez dried meals and my smaller cook system. lol

[msfam]

Great video explaining the major types of cook kits. Your explanations and pros/cons are spot on. Since I'm a cheapskate, my go to is a Stanley cookware pot with a knock-off MSR stove and the "long handle" spoon. I've learned how to turn the pot on its side and turn it into a makeshift oven for biscuits and deserts.

[stanleyheath]

when you consider that the MSR stove is about twice as fast bringing water to a boil as an alcohol stove it means you have to carry twice the fuel for the alcohol stove and the weight of the MSR stove begins to be offset by the weight of the alcohol. I have used the MSR dragonfly for about 25 years and love that it is robust and can support a large or heavy pot.

[TomyHovingtonHiking]

I can see a backpacker wanting to bring more elaborate cook systems .
As a hiker, I focus on my miles and although I’m not a ultralight hiker, I use the BRS with a 750 toaks for my dehydrated meals.
Great video 🤙

[Stoney_AKA_James]

Good information Devin, and Merry Christmas!
Being an Army veteran and bushcrafter, I have a different mindset than the "average" through hiker/backpacker, so primarily use 2 different stoves:
Firebox Titanium G2 twig stove and a MSR WhisperLite Universal stove - I use regular unleaded gasoline and what I don't use goes into my truck!

[Oldsparkey]

Out of all the stoves and cook kits I have, I have 2 favorite ones. For Ultralight backpacking it's the Evernew Appalachian set in titanium along with their Non stick titanium frying pan. #2 . The Firebox Nano, Gen, 2 in Titanium with the X stand. I use a Maxi titanium Canteen cup ( 950 ML / 32.1 OZ ) with the Titanium Firebox Nano since the whole outfit fits inside the canteen cup. With both outfits I have my choice of the fuel, Alcohol, Fuel tabs or Wood.

[alanbierhoff]

What a great video. I’ve been using Banks Fry-Bake products since the late 70’s(?). It was really wonderful watching someone acknowledge the Fry-Bake as it rarely happens lol
I’ve got both sizes of the Firebox Stove kits and they are a great product too.

[KaiMirra]

I bought the same firebox stove 8-in fry pan kit for Black Friday last year, although heavy for what it is, it's versatility is great and the quality is over the top. For those trips that you plan to base camp and cook meals or catch fish it's a great option.

[nancymills]

I love my Firebox 8 inch skillet. Follow the instructions on seasoning and follow up seasonings after using and you will really enjoy it. I also enjoy my solo wood burning stove. I use my titanium set ups for day hikes. Using a variety of set ups is fun!!

[Gamerhog]

I carry a firebox nano, red camp alcohol stove and brs all at the same time with a stanley adventure cup. I find I always use the alcohol stove it's honestly kinda fun to use.

[imperialwhovian]

I personally love using the MSR windburner as especially with the 1.8 liter as it’s big enough to use for a few people for boiling water but also can cook a decent amount of food in it as well and the burner can still easily be used with a skillet for fish like I usually do.

[johnstewart]

I was a master chef on my Svea 123 and Sigg Tourister set....many miles, many altitudes...melting snow for water....

[TrashPanda]

New to the channel and love your videos. I am very new to backpacking and felt a bit nervous about the whole concept. Your videos have definitely given me some great advice and starting points for gear which I can personalize to fit my style. Keep up the great work!

[stanleyheath]

I also eat freeze dried meals out or the pouch. when the meal is half gone I just slice off the top part of the pouch with my knife and don't have to use a long handled spoon to reach the bottom.

[davidlee]

My favorite cooking system: DIY alcohol stove 7g + DIY titanium pot stand 10g + DIY Aluminum foil wind shield 10g + Toaks 550ml + Toaks long spoon 14g + 120ml alcohol for 2 days hiking

[ChuckDowe]

Great breakdown of the types of cook systems and trade offs for each.

[slickwillie]

That whisperlite looks good. No need to carry alcohol as a backup for canister in case of unexpected coldsnap. A non-stick skillet could substitute for the pot...just need one with a pour spout (not likely to find though).

[JaxxDrinkwater]

Loved this video man. I knew I was gonna see that fry bake busted out :) I really like that Soto Stack.

[donaldgerig]

Hi Devan. Nice review of cook systems. I usually go on an annual 3 day, 2 night backpacking trip with a brother in wilderness areas in the central Cascade Mountains in Oregon. I take the GSI Bugaboo Backpacker cookset and a Snowpeak Giga Power 2.0 stove. We usually hike in 3-6 miles and set up one camp for the trip. We try to hit different little mountain lakes each year to test out the fishing. I use the little 8 inch fry pan to cook fresh fish (hopefully). I would certainly not qualify as an "ultralighter". I have an 85 liter Osprey pack and it seems like we take the kitchen sink (ha ha). Pack weight is usually about 45 lbs. At 6' 2", 250 lbs and 74 years old, you think I would go a bit lighter for my needs. Guess I just don't want to give up the creature comforts (yet!) A lighter system may be in my future. We each take a two-man tent also. Stay safe & have a great Holiday Season. Don from Oregon

[pamelaklemp]

👋. Your choices make really good sense for their intended uses. I am a cook kit/cook stove junkie and have been a serious user/collector for many decades. I basicly choose my cook set and cook stove based on the menu items I'm packing and cooking. My favorite GoTo systems are:
SMALL SIZE: OPTIMUS CRUX WEEKENDER HE Cookset with the FOLDABLE OPTIMUS CRUX (CANISTER-STYLE) STOVE. Also love the STANLEY COMPACT COOK SET and use that one often.
MEDIUM SIZE: STANLEY COOK SET FOR TWO pared up with either the OPTIMUS CRUX STOVE or The SOLO Stove LITE Wood or SOLO Stove TITAN Gasification Stoves.
Large Size: Trangia 27T or Trangia 25T STORMCOOKER COOK SET paired w/Trangia Alcohol Burner. Also love the SOLO TITAN Stove with the STANLEY Boil-N-Brew French Press pared w/ the STANLEY TWO BOWL COOK SET.
Regardless of cooking styles, I ALWAYS take my SOLO TITAN or LITE as my emergency heating source should I need to be warm enough in an emergency. I'm a former Police Dispatcher and scout Leader so being prepared with a backup plan for survival is very important with any outdoor activity.